Nervous about my first day as a dental assistant

[HopefulDr201]

Hey everyone,

So starting tomorrow, I'll be working as a dental assistant for a pediatric dentist. Given it's my first day and I have zero dental experience, I'm actually pretty nervous.

1. But to those who have experience as a dental assistant, what are some things I should expect or be aware of?

2. How can I quickly learn things on the job?

3. What are some ways that would make my job and everyone else's (dentist and other staff) jobs easier?

4. How much time should I give myself to become fully competent?

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[tooth knockn]

Hey everyone,

So starting tomorrow, I'll be working as a dental assistant for a pediatric dentist. Given it's my first day and I have zero dental experience, I'm actually pretty nervous.

1. But to those who have experience as a dental assistant, what are some things I should expect or be aware of?

2. How can I quickly learn things on the job?

3. What are some ways that would make my job and everyone else's (dentist and other staff) jobs easier?

4. How much time should I give myself to become fully competent?

1- pediatrics: expect some kids to be crying , and some kids to be strapped onto a board, it looks like abuse, hopefully you don't have to see those things. . .

2- start working in the sterilization room to get a feeling of the flow of things, when you understand the instruments and flow of things then step out !

3- Stay out the way, don't make stupid faces, ask questions about things you don't know, ask the dr or assistants if they need help.

4- Fully competent, for pediatrics, 3-6 months, as a full time employee.

 

[paniz]

Good job on getting the job without Any experiences.. Im planning to do the same thing but all the ones which i applied either need x-ray certification or at least a yr experience! Bty how did u apply for this job?


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[JLT223]

You're going to feel useless but in time things get easier. Radiographs will be hard, especially on children. Give it 2 months and things start becoming routine.

 

[zEkii]

By no means am I knowledgeable to speak for Dental Assistants, but there is a really good dental assistant at the place I shadowed. The chemistry and coordination between her and the dentist were remarkable flawless!

She didn't have any experience prior to being a dental assistant and started to pick up the pace within the first 3 months and now she has been working there for 8 years.

 

[fayevalentine]

I too became a DA with no prior experience, so I understand how scary it is in the beginning. If possible take pictures of all of the tray set-ups so you can study the instruments at home. Take a small notebook and write things down. Ask a lot of questions, but ask your doctor if he or she would prefer you ask these after the patient has left (some doctors enjoy talking while they work, some would rather you wait until lunch). Understand that no matter how great of an assistant you may be, you will have hard procedures or hard patients. There is a chance your doctor may get annoyed with you at times while you are learning. Take it all in stride. Don't let emotions get the best of you - once you walk out of that room just brush it off because the next procedure will probably go way better and you will have learned something 🙂. You'll do great as long as you truly want to learn!

 

[JLT223]

I too became a DA with no prior experience, so I understand how scary it is in the beginning. If possible take pictures of all of the tray set-ups so you can study the instruments at home. Take a small notebook and write things down. Ask a lot of questions, but ask your doctor if he or she would prefer you ask these after the patient has left (some doctors enjoy talking while they work, some would rather you wait until lunch). Understand that no matter how great of an assistant you may be, you will have hard procedures or hard patients. There is a chance your doctor may get annoyed with you at times while you are learning. Take it all in stride. Don't let emotions get the best of you - once you walk out of that room just brush it off because the next procedure will probably go way better and you will have learned something 🙂. You'll do great as long as you truly want to learn!

Definitely take pics of the setups!!

 

[sugarmagnolia91]

Be very attentive and eager to learn, ask questions if you have them. The dentist generally prefers if you ask and learn to do something right then do it wrong/not exactly how they prefer. I agree with the above poster who said to ask the dentist whether or not they prefer Qs in front of patients, though in peds it's probably okay. Be meticulous about cleanliness- wipe everything down after every patient, set up instruments in an organized way, change gloves if you leave the room. Also, don't pass the instruments over the patient's chest-- I had someone get mad about that when I first started out. Pass them behind the patient's head.

Finally, don't worry- you're not expected to know everything right off the bat! You were hired without experience b/c they must like your personality and think you're a quick learner! After a month you'll feel OK, after 2-3 you'll feel really good about everything. Good luck!

 

[mcbnerd]

Be very attentive and eager to learn, ask questions if you have them. The dentist generally prefers if you ask and learn to do something right then do it wrong/not exactly how they prefer. I agree with the above poster who said to ask the dentist whether or not they prefer Qs in front of patients, though in peds it's probably okay. Be meticulous about cleanliness- wipe everything down after every patient, set up instruments in an organized way, change gloves if you leave the room. Also, don't pass the instruments over the patient's chest-- I had someone get mad about that when I first started out. Pass them behind the patient's head.

Finally, don't worry- you're not expected to know everything right off the bat! You were hired without experience b/c they must like your personality and think you're a quick learner! After a month you'll feel OK, after 2-3 you'll feel really good about everything. Good luck!

I got yelled at for passing it near the head because you might drop the tools on the patient's head...

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[JLT223]

I got yelled at for passing it near the head because you might drop the tools on the patient's head...

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Same here. Or even worse, down their throat. Every doctor is different and has their own preferances!

 

[LaughingGas]

at first it will be hard to remember anything. What i would suggest is take a mini note pad and write down what the dentist wants for each type of procedure.
After that, you will get used to it. as many things will be routine-dentistry.

 

[Soleus715]

In order to be a good assistant, you have to learn the philosophy of the office.
Every single dentist is different and if you cannot align yourself with how the office operates, you'll have a really bad time working there.

Since your boss hired you knowing that you have zero experience, hopefully he'll be training you along the way.